Gamescom has had it’s first shock news of the week: Tomb Raider 2 has become an Xbox exclusive, with no PS4 version planned at all.

They didn’t show any more of the game, just a few stills from the E3 teaser trailer, but Rise Of The Tomb Raider was the talk of Microsoft’s pre-Gamescom media briefing: because it’s suddenly become a format exclusive.

The wording of the announcement seemed to imply it was only a timed exclusive, with a suspicious emphasis on the game’s Christmas 2015 release date.

But developer Crystal Dynamics has confirmed on tumblr that the game is a lifetime exclusive, with seemingly no chance of a PlayStation 4 or even PC version.

‘Our friends at Microsoft have always seen huge potential in Tomb Raider and have believed in our vision since our first unveil with them on their stage at E3 2011,’ says Crystal Dynamics’ Darrell Gallagher.

‘We know they will get behind this game more than any support we have had from them in the past – we believe this will be a step to really forging the Tomb Raider brand as one of the biggest in gaming, with the help, belief and backing of a major partner like Microsoft.

‘This doesn’t mean that we’re walking away from our fans who only play on PlayStation or on PC. Those are great systems, with great partners, and amazing communities. We have Lara Croft And The Temple of Osiris coming to those platforms this December, and Tomb Raider: The Definitive Edition is available on PS4.’

Rise Of The Tomb Raider is not at Gamescom proper and no live gameplay has ever been shown, so there’s actually very little else to say.

But the whole business is very surprising and although you can’t blame Microsoft for wanting to sign up some big name exclusives, Square Enix doesn’t seem to be getting nearly as much out of the deal. Except of course for a big wad of cash for signing the exclusivity deal.

The Definitive Edition of 2013 Tomb Raider reboot sold 69 per cent of its copies on PlayStation 4 and the series has long been associated with the PlayStation, despite rarely ever being an exclusive. How many Tomb Raider fans are going to run out and buy an Xbox One just for that game we couldn’t say but the risk to Square Enix and the brand is considerable.

Especially as Rise Of The Tomb Raider will now be going head-to-head with PlayStation 4 exclusive Uncharted 4, which is no doubt something Microsoft were keenly aware of when they signed the deal.